Vina Ijalba Maturana Blanca 2024

Vina Ijalba Maturana Blanca 2024

Vina Ijalba
$24.00

Grape: Maturana Blanca
Vintage: 2024
Type: White

This singular bottling comes from a single, organically farmed parcel in Rioja, a site dedicated to rescuing the oldest documented grape variety in the region from near extinction. Viña Ijalba was instrumental in bringing Maturana Blanca back to life, planting it on poor, shallow soils over limestone bedrock to curb the vine's naturally vigorous growth. The grapes undergo a gentle pressing, followed by a native fermentation and a brief aging period in neutral French oak barrels to build structural complexity while respecting the grape's low pH. It stands as a historic, highly focused alternative to traditional white Rioja, driven by genetic heritage rather than oak flavor.

In the glass, it displays a bright, straw-yellow color with golden glints. The nose is highly aromatic and expressive, delivering notes of green apple, white peach, wild fennel, and a distinct hint of struck match mineral character. On the palate, a "crystalline" beam of high-toned acidity slices directly through a surprisingly rich, textural mid-palate. The wine displays great physical weight and phenolic grip, yet it remains light on its feet due to its bracing, vertical structure. The finish is long, completely dry, and savory, leaving a mouthwatering trail of grapefruit oil, dried herbs, and crushed limestone.

Viña Ijalba is a pioneering family-owned estate in Rioja, established in 1991 by Dionisio Ruiz Ijalba, who began transforming abandoned open-cast mines and gravel pits into high-quality vineyards as early as 1975. Located near Logroño, the winery is distinguished as the first in Rioja to be certified organic, maintaining a deep commitment to biodiversity and environmental sustainability through practices like wastewater recycling and the use of native yeasts. The estate is globally recognized for its research into recovering near-extinct autochthonous grape varieties, having been the first to produce single-varietal wines from grapes such as Graciano, Maturana Blanca, Maturana Tinta, and Tempranillo Blanco. Their winemaking approach blends modern technology with traditional soul, utilizing a mix of concrete vats and both French and American oak to create wines that prioritize fruit purity and terroir expression. By focusing on poor, stony soils and low-yield viticulture, Viña Ijalba produces a diverse range of labels—from fresh, unoaked styles to structured Reservas—that represent a unique third way between the region's classic traditions and contemporary innovation.